TIRENNO-ADRIATICO. Victory for Tim Merlier in the sprint in this second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. The Team Alpecin-Fenix rider is ahead of Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma) and Kaden Groves (Bike Exchange) on the podium.
[Mis à jour le 8 mars 2022 à 17h23] After a 1st stage marked by the demonstration of Filippo Ganna during the time trial, the 2nd stage of Tirreno-Adriatico saw Tim Merlier win ahead of two other sprinters, Olav Kooij and Kaden Groves. At the start of the stage, five men paved the way throughout the day: Davide Bais, Francesco Gavazzi, Umberto Marengo, Davide Gaburro and Johnatan Cañaveral.
18 kilometers from the finish, Team UAE Emirates rider Marc Soler attacked but the Spaniard was caught in the last three kilometers by the peloton, giving way to the sprinters. Peter Sagan, who got off to a good start in the final sprint, finally finished 4th in the stage, ahead of Tim Merlier, Olav Kooij and Kaden Groves.
The runners have an appointment with seven stages in this mythical race. Regarding the route, there will be something for everyone with a first time trial stage in Lido di Camaiore, 13.9 kilometers long. Three days rather intended for sprinters will follow before two finishes where the French Julian Alaphilippe will have a card to play. A mountain stage will precede the last day of the race on Sunday March 13.
Among the 37 successes of Julian Alaphilippe in his career, only three relate to general classifications of stage victories (Tour of California (2016), Slovenia and Great Britain (2018)). So the reigning double world champion wants to correct the situation during this 57th edition of Tirreno-Adriatico where stages correspond to his profile as a climber-puncher. Alaphilippe does not arrive in the best conditions for this week, victim of a fall on Saturday March 5 during the Strade Bianche.
Heavy fall for Julian Alaphilippe
Surprised by the wind and a runner who fell just in front of him, the world champion was the victim of an impressive cabriole which will probably prevent him from playing for the win in Siena!#LesRP @alafpolak1 pic.twitter.com/POD6JRkTsB
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) March 5, 2022
Tirreno-Adriatico title holder Tadej Pogacar is aiming for the double this year. The route contains only one mountain stage, the penultimate which will arrive at the bottom of the double ascent of Monte Carpegna: “It’s the queen stage, but on a race like this, you have to be vigilant every days. The bonuses could be significant too.” Winner of the Stade Bianche on Saturday March 5, the Slovenian will face Julian Alaphilippe, Remco Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard or Richard Carapaz.
The top 10 of this chrono #TirrenoAdriatico. Evenepoel and Pogacar are already placed for the general, they who are the two favorites of the event. Benjamin Thomas, French champion in the discipline, is the first tricolor of the day, 12th at 41″. pic.twitter.com/Vyjf5mscxH
— The Gruppetto (@TheGruppetto) March 7, 2022
After Tim Merlier’s victory in the sprint during the second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, the general classification remains the same. Filippo Ganna retains the blue jersey ahead of Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar.